Principal's Message

Additional Specialist Class in 2024

As indicated previously, Old Orchard will be introducing an additional Specialist Teacher in 2024. This will be of enormous benefit to our students and will allow us to develop a new program from the ground up, in line with the Victorian Curriculum and providing exciting learning experiences for our students. We have conducted surveys of our parent/carer community, staff and senior students and received a high response rate. Suggestions were quite varied with some interesting and imaginative responses, however the overwhelmingly consistent theme in all three surveys was a specialist program with a science focus. Based on this feedback, as well as an understanding of what is viable within the school and the requirements of the curriculum, we have made the decision to move forward with a science based specialist program. It will most likely be titled ‘STEM’ and we will work throughout Term 4 to develop the scope and sequence of the program and the logistics of how it will be delivered. We are very excited about the journey ahead and our STEM program becoming a feature of our school.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to the following students on their excellent recent achievements as detailed below:

• Jaanvi (Year 6) was one of several students who entered in the 2023 Parliamentary Prize, submitting a speech about the negative impacts of smoking and vaping. Jaanvi was a finalist in the competition and finished in the top 10 students, from over 1,000 entries. 
   
• Cooper (Year 6) submitted a letter to the Minister of Education, arguing persuasively for school days to be shorter. Cooper’s letter was very well constructed and he received a formal reply from the Regional Director for North Eastern Victoria Region. Despite Cooper’s strong arguments, we have yet to receive any formal notification of proposed changes!
   
• Isaac (Year 5) has written an amazing book called Arctic, about the adventures of Arctic the Husky and his friend, Euclid the Owl. It’s a beautiful story and I am thoroughly enjoying reading it. We have an author in our midst!

Reporting to Parents & Carers - 3 Way Chats

The 3 Way Chats involving teachers, parents/carers and students are currently underway. These form an important part of the Reporting to Parents structure at Old Orchard that also includes formal written reports in June and December, Digital Portfolios and the Term 1 Parent/Carer Meetings. We trust that you find these chats beneficial and informative.

School Camps

The recent school camps at Year 3 and Year 4 level were very successful with excellent reports back from students, staff and parent/carer helpers. Participation rates were high with 89 % at Year 4 level (of the 6 non-attendees, 5 were due to illness or medical related, 1 was parent choice.) At Year 3 level, 97% of students attended. (of the 2 non-attendees, 1 was due to illness, 1 was parent choice.) Jen McCann is currently leading a mini review of our camping program to ensure that the existing camps continue to meet the needs of our school. In 2024 our Year 3s will attend Gundiwindi Lodge Camp (Silvan) instead of Phillip Island; the Year 5s will attend the Waratah Beach Camp. The Year 2 Sleepover will be conducted on September 7th. 

Book Week 

Our Old Orchard Book Week celebrations have been very successful and exciting, with highlights being Monday’s Book Walk and the Dress Up Day on Wednesday. The range and quality of costumes was very impressive and our student leaders and library captains did a superb job as MC’s. Thank-you to parents & carers, as well as staff and students, for your support of the Dress Up Day. It is very much appreciated.

Fathers’ Day Breakfast

It was fantastic to see so many of our Old Orchard dads and other special people in our children’s lives, attending the Fathers’ Day Breakfast this morning and enjoying special time with their children. A huge thank-you to the PFA, led by Leah Delaney and her team, for their hard work leading up to and during the event. 

End of Term Arrangements

Parents & carers are reminded that Term 3 finishes on Friday September 15th, with students dismissed at 2.30pm. Please note the following:

9.00 - 11.30 Session 1

11.30 - 12.10 Session 2

12.10 - 12.20 Lunch Eating

12.20 - 1.50 Session 3

1.50 - 2.20 Whole School Assembly (Gymnasium)

2.20 Return to class

2.30 Students dismissed

Kind regards & best wishes to our school community for your Fathers’ Day celebrations this Sunday.

Duncan